eFootball may finally be ready to re-enter the single-player conversation in a meaningful way. During the latest eFootball Connect presentation, Konami confirmed that Master League — long regarded as the franchise’s defining mode — is officially returning.
For longtime fans of Pro Evolution Soccer, the announcement represents a potential turning point. Since rebranding to eFootball and shifting toward an online-first, free-to-play model, Konami has struggled to keep pace with the rival EA FC series, which has dominated the market through its Ultimate Team ecosystem. The absence of Master League has been one of the biggest sticking points for players who prefer offline experiences and have little interest in card-collecting modes.
According to Konami, the first in-game reveals for Master League are expected later in February, though a specific release date has not yet been announced. While full details remain limited, the publisher did outline some foundational elements of the mode’s return. Player condition, form, and stamina will once again play a central role, with team management decisions influencing match outcomes and long-term squad performance. These systems were hallmarks of Master League in previous iterations, rewarding thoughtful planning rather than just on-pitch skill.
It’s also clear that this new Master League will be different from what it was in the PES era. Konami has suggested there will be changes and variations to how the mode functions within eFootball‘s broader framework. Exactly how deep those changes go — and whether or not they will be welcome ones — remains to be seen.
Still, the announcement should serve as a big boost to a franchise that has struggled to maintain relevance in the last several years. If you ask me, Master League offered a way greater (and more fun) experience than that of FIFA/EA FC back during the PES days. Historically, the mode has been maligned or dismissed by EA FC fans due to the eFootball‘s historical struggles when it comes to licensing. However, on both the PC and PlayStation platforms, option files and mods provided by third-party sites like PES Master have long solved this issue.
Konami hasn’t exactly been a beacon of pro-consumer practices in recent years, but let’s keep our fingers crossed for Master League’s return being a massive success.
